CHat GPT is your friend!
When booking an air ticket, there are key differences between using
Skyscanner and booking directly from the
airline's website:
1. Pricing & Fees
- Skyscanner: Acts as a search engine that aggregates fares from multiple sources, including airlines and travel agencies. Prices may sometimes include third-party service fees or fluctuate based on demand.
- Airline Website: Often offers the most accurate and transparent pricing, without extra fees from intermediaries.
2. Flexibility & Changes
- Skyscanner: If you book through a third-party travel agency, changing or canceling your ticket may be more complicated and could involve additional fees.
- Airline Website: Easier to modify or cancel bookings directly with the airline, often with better refund or rescheduling policies.
3. Customer Support
- Skyscanner: If booked through a third-party agency, you’ll have to contact that agency for support, which can sometimes be slow or unresponsive.
- Airline Website: Direct support from the airline, often with better service and quicker issue resolution.
4. Frequent Flyer Benefits
- Skyscanner: Some third-party agencies may not allow you to earn airline miles or elite status points.
- Airline Website: You usually earn full loyalty points and get access to member-only discounts and perks.
5. Baggage & Seat Selection
- Skyscanner: Some third-party bookings may have restrictions on baggage allowances or seat selection, requiring additional payments later.
- Airline Website: Provides clear baggage policies and allows seat selection upfront.
6. Promotions & Discounts
- Skyscanner: Sometimes finds cheaper deals via third-party travel agencies.
- Airline Website: Airlines may offer exclusive discounts, promo codes, or bundled offers (like extra baggage or lounge access).
When to Use Each?
- Use Skyscanner: To compare fares across different airlines and find the cheapest deal.
- Use Airline Website: For better flexibility, reliability, and direct customer service.
If the price difference is minimal, it's generally safer to
book directly with the airline to avoid potential third-party complications.
